Men Like Us - A Novel

By: Carson Markland

Published by Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2026-07-14

Bobby Kennedy was never meant to matter.



The seventh of nine children, he's long been overlooked by his father, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., who governs his children with the same firm hand that earned him a fortune, an ambassadorship, and enough clout to plant the seeds of an American political dynasty.



But when Bobby's eldest brother, the anointed heir, dies in a wartime mission, the burden to become the first Kennedy in Congress shifts to Jack, the next in line. Bobby--long ignored and underestimated--is forced to step up, especially as debilitating chronic pain threatens Jack's Senate seat and aspirations to higher office. With their sights eventually set on the White House, Bobby evolves into the ruthless operative behind the scenes--yet at what personal cost?



Throughout the chaos of campaign after campaign, Bobby finds an unexpected ally in his brother's wife, Jacqueline Bouvier. While Jackie smiles and waves for the cameras, in private, she leans on Bobby for understanding. Their friendship serves as a refuge from the public spotlight and private intrigue of the Kennedy family, but Jack's ongoing infidelity tests the boundaries of their loyalty, forcing Bobby and Jackie to each decide just how much they're willing to sacrifice for the dynasty's image.



Centering on one of the most significant political families of our time, Carson Markland's riveting, hopeful debut is about brothers, fathers and sons, winners and losers, loyalty and sacrifice, and the true cost of power. Looking to the past--a time marked by widespread paranoia, nationalism, and the clash between authoritarianism and democracy--while speaking to today, Men Like Us asks not only what we can do for our country, but what we ultimately owe to ourselves.